New Woods Hole HROV

Posted 11 Dec 2003 at 14:53 UTC by steve

The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) has announced a new type of underwater robot they're calling the Hybrid Remotely Operated Vehicle (HROV). In addition to being operated by remote control via a tether like normal ROVs, the HROV can also operate autonomously like AUV. WHOI intends to use the new robot to explore the deepest parts of the ocean, more than 11,000 meters below the surface. The robot is battery-powered and can go for up to 36 hours before returning for a recharge. The timing of the new robot couldn't be better. A recent National Research Council report has a identified a need for more and better underwater vehicles for basic ocean research.

Sounds pretty fishy to me- - -, posted 12 Dec 2003 at 00:41 UTC by Frank McNeill » (Apprentice)

- - because I suspect that they will have a heck of a time trying to retrieve the micro fiber optical cable thing after it has been jetisoned by the HROV. I have trouble trying to "retrieve" bottom fishing lures and monofilament lines without snagging stuff and think that there will be similar, but much greater, problems in retrieving what seem to be three long sections of optical cable that get tangled up with all sorts of strange things from the deepest places in the oceans.

They're littering the seabed, posted 12 Dec 2003 at 16:44 UTC by earlwb » (Master)

Actually it looks like they leave the descent weights, ascent weights, and the micro cable on the seabed. More trash and litter for the ocean.

Humm, maybe one of the Giant Squids or Collossal Squids will take umbrage and trash the ROV on them. Hopefully they'll get a couple photos before the ROV is trashed.

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